ずっといい
zutto ii
In Japanese, "much better" is expressed as ずっといい (zutto ii).
The phrase is used to express that something is significantly superior to another option or a previous state. While the core adjective いい (ii) simply means "good", adding ずっと (zutto) emphasizes a significant degree of superiority or improvement.
What does it mean word for word?
The word ずっと (zutto) literally means "continuously" or "all along", but when placed before an adjective, it functions as an intensifier meaning "by far" or "much".
How do you pronounce it?
zutto ii
Did you know?
- Depending on the intonation, いい can mean 'good' or 'no thank you'. Adding ずっと clarifies that you genuinely prefer one option over another.
- Because Japanese 'i-adjectives' function like verbs, you do not need to add a word for 'is' to make ずっといい a complete sentence. It is grammatically self-contained, unlike the English requirement for a linking verb.
- In Japanese, the word ずっと can be used to describe an unchanging emotional state. For example, you can use it to say you have loved someone 'all along' or 'continuously' from the past until now.
Examples in context
- 俺のカメラの方が、彼女のよりずっといいよ。My camera is much better than hers.This sentence uses ずっといい to compare two cameras.Tatoeba #11015536 by small_snow, translation #2674949 by AlanF_US
- 目覚まし時計で起こされるより、鳥の鳴き声で目覚める方がずっといい。It's much better to be woken by the birds than by an alarm.This sentence uses ずっといい to compare being woken by birds versus an alarm.Tatoeba #1967481 by bunbuku, translation #9308426 by CK
- それらは西洋の風呂よりずっといいです。They are much better than Western baths.This sentence uses ずっといい to compare certain items to Western baths.Tatoeba #204702 by mookeee, translation #41943 by orcrist
- 非常に良くなりましたIt has improved very much
- かなりよくなったIt has become quite better
- 以前よりもずっと良くなりましたIt has become much better than before
- 昨年と比べてだいぶ向上しましたIt has improved considerably compared to last year
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are discussing their new apartment.
- 結衣 Yui新しい家、前よりずっといい？Atarashii ie, mae yori zutto ii?Is the new house much better than before?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、前よりずっといいよ。Un, mae yori zutto ii yo.Yeah, it's much better than the old one.
- 結衣 Yuiよかった！陽太も喜んでるね。Yokatta! Yota mo yorokonderu ne.I'm glad! You seem happy too, Yota.
- 陽太 Yotaすごく快適だよ。Sugoku kaiteki da yo.It's very comfortable.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
